Changes Needed in the Law
The effective utilization of reservists as diplomat warriors in nation assistance operations will require a change in the law which currently limits reservists to training while on active duty, unless they are mobilized.27
General Downing noted the problem in Panama, where reserve CA units were not activated, and the improvement in Desert Storm:
Our civil attairs units were simply magnificent.
Their skills, talents and experience cannot be replicated in the Active Component. Unfortunately, the problem of access still remains. We still need a presidential call-up to access these talented Reserve units in time of crisis. This limits our effectiveness in dealing with the ongoing demands in peacetime and in war for the unique skills that exist only in the reserve Component civil affairs units.28The laws restricting reservists to training during peacetime are an anachronism in the new strategic environment. They were intended for reserve combat forces which have a wartime contingency mission and need not become operational without a mobilization. But these laws are clearly unsuited for those civilian soldiers who must be front-line forces in operations other than war.